Q: Given the negative fan base reaction the last time the coaching staff employed a spread offense (I.e. Rich Rodriguez), I have been somewhat surprised about the lack of consternation at the implications of Josh Gattis being hired and ostensibly given the offensive reigns. Why the different reaction?

Also, do you see any downside risks for the defense with the projected changes from a pro-style, shorten-the-game offense? (Jason K., via email)

A: It’s amazing how things change with a different set of circumstances, isn’t it? With the spread such a popularized offense nowadays in the college game, it’s almost become second nature for college teams. So when Michigan’s offense struggled the last few years, folks spoke up and wondered why they hadn’t changed with the teams. Low and behold, Rich Rodriguez tried that a decade prior.

Even so, I do think Jim Harbaugh has evolved some, too. Keep in mind, just last season his offense was running two tight ends and a fullback at times, still hoping to jam the football into the end zone. Given the athletes and type of player recruited to Michigan now, he apparently realized things needed to change. And while Harbaugh hasn’t won at the rate most Michigan fans would like, he has won more games than Rodriguez ever did. He’s also had more success than Rodriguez, who went 15-22 in three seasons as Michigan’s head coach. I think most fans have that sense of comfort with Harbaugh, that he’ll eventually be able to get over the hump and win a Big Ten title. Rodriguez was never in the discussion during his short three-year stint in Ann Arbor. Could he have won with the spread offense? Possibly. But Harbaugh’s Michigan teams do play defense, something Rodriguez’s teams did not, giving them something to fall back on. And given how well Michigan’s defenses have been under Harbaugh, I think most folks realize that something drastic needed to change to shake loose this offense.

As far as how it impacts the defense, that remains to be seen. I think it’s a no-brainer that side of the ball will be on the field more, creating the need for more substituting and unique looks. As Don Brown hinted at during spring, perhaps some more zone, too. With so many unproven players on defense, it will be interesting to see how they respond in real-time. Brown has grown accustomed to giving his guys lengthy breaks. Now, that could still happen if Michigan’s offense is efficient and effective, but if it’s not, the guys on the other side of the ball could be in for some heavy minutes.

Q: Will the offense be pass-heavy? How has Tarik Black looked? (@MikeCandela33)

A: Pretty sure I covered the first part of your question last week, but in short order, yes. How much remains to be seen, but Michigan ran the football about 55 percent of the time in 2018, perhaps too much for how efficient and effective Shea Patterson was in the passing game.

As for Black, he’s been present, but it still sounds like he has a ways to go. When Jim Harbaugh last provided a depth chart to the media, Black was one of the three starting wide receivers, though that excluded the injured Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins. With Oliver Martin now at Iowa, it opens up a spot. Could Black fill the slot role? Could Sainristil play inside? Could Michigan roll with four wide receivers wide on a regular basis? Time will tell.

What the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Black needs to show is that he’s healthy and fully recovered from those two fractured feet. He was a non-factor in the six games he played in last season. It’s still unclear whether that was due to his health, a drop in speed or something else. But for whatever it’s worth, Black tweeted Thursday: “I got that chip back.”

Q: Should I be worried about the depth on the interior DL? I am. And no 2020 commitments. (@Pstangelo51)

A: I answered a variation of this question last week, but it’s worth exploring again. Michigan plans to start Carlo Kemp and some type of combination of Michael Dwumfour and Donovan Jeter inside, which should fare fine in the immediate. But Dwumfour and Kemp are both seniors, leaving question marks for the future. Michigan is hoping Jeter takes a major step this year, and counting on the development of these three for the future: Julius Welschof, Gabe Newburg and Mazi Smith. The coaches already love Smith’s size and strength, and that’s half the battle up front. Shaun Nua will be key here, because development will be important in 2019. They need to bring some of these young guys along quickly. Anything less and, yes, we could be talking about a weakness this time next summer.

Q: Gaige Garcia: Wondering if you had any intel about this running back/ wrestler who committed to U-M in the middle of the big commit-binge last week. He was probably the most unknown prospect of the bunch, but then I noticed he also suddenly disappeared from the 247 list of UM recruits without any associated news.

Was this because he will be on a wrestling scholarship rather than a football scholarship? Or was there some mistake/ misunderstanding in the commitment process? Is he still planning to join the football team? … and if so what do you think he brings to the table? (Nathan M., via email)

A: They must have listened to you, Nathan, because Garcia’s name is back on 247Sports’ list of 2020 Michigan commits. It’s possible it was just an error — or maybe he was removed for a short time out of uncertainty.

But my understanding of the situation right now is that Garcia has been offered the opportunity to play both sports under a full-ride scholarship. Whether that actually happens — it’s rare, especially at a major program like Michigan — remains to be seen. I would not be surprised if he shows up and is asked to pick one over the other.

As for what he brings to the table, he’s already filled out at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, has decent straight-line speed and can be tough to tackle. He almost looks like a fullback, which doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of Gattis’ new offense, but we know Harbaugh loves multi-sport athletes. And if he’s good enough, they’ll find a place for him on the field.

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